. >> the truth is that midwifes really look to the science and look to the evidence and have incredible skills that can get you through your birth process. >> reporter: dr. julie cantor lectures on women's health issues at u.c.l.a. medical school. >> that doesn't mean medication-free birth. it doesn't mean an "out of hospital" birth. midwifes use technology judiciously. using technology when it's necessary. >> reporter: still in this country many view a midwife-assisted birth as risky. after all, obstetricians are medical doctors ready to handle any complication. but midwifes say they screen patients and know long before delivery if a particular case -- twins, for example -- would be best handled by an obstetrician. and dr. cantor says for the majority of births... >> we're throwing a lot of money and a lot of technology at something that actually works better when you have less. less is more. >> reporter: what is wrong with the way american women are giving birth in hospitals today? >> there's too many drugs. too many c-sections. too many inductions. and then there's not enough post-pa